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Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2023

The aim of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme is to leverage private capital for investment in a significant number of small-scale, labour-intensive conservation projects throughout the country and to support the employment of conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment.

The minimum funding awarded for successful projects will be €2,500 up to a maximum of €15,000. Under BHIS, the total value of all public funding provided for individual projects must not exceed 50% of the total project cost, including funding received from other public agencies including the SEAI, the Heritage Council, LEADER, other government departments and local authorities. Voluntary work (benefit-in-kind) or local authorities’ own funds/contributions or funding from other exchequer sources cannot be used to satisfy the matching expenditure requirement.

Eligibility

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is designed to assist with the repair and conservation of structures that are protected under the Planning and Development Acts. In certain cases, the scheme also supports the conservation of structures within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) where, in the opinion of the local authority, a need for works to enhance the character and appearance of an ACA has been demonstrated. The primary purpose of the scheme is to support privately owned properties in need of repair and conservation.

Projects that incorporate a traditional skills training element may also be supported by this fund. Any such projects must be agreed in advance by the Department and the relevant local authority.

Eligible Structures

  1. Protected structures. Structures included in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority area (Appendix 6 of the County Longford Development Plan)
  2. Proposed Protected Structures. Structures proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved. Such structures must be added to the RPS by 31 December 2023
  3. Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances are deemed by the Department to apply.

Qualifying and Non Qualifying Works

Information on which works are eligible under the scheme may be found in the Guidance Booklet for Applicants

Guidance on how to fill in application Form A may be found in this guidance document

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions 

Click here to download application Form A


The completed Form A, along with the Method Statement, photographs, maps etc should be returned by email to heritage@longfordcoco.ie by Tuesday 7th February 2023. Please include BHIS 2023 and the name of the building in the subject line. 

Only one application to the BHIS will be considered per historic structure. An application for a structure can be made under the BHIS and the HSF, but only one grant from either the HSF or the BHIS can be availed of per structure. In cases where an applicant has been awarded funding under both schemes, the applicant must indicate which scheme they wish to avail of.

Projects awarded funding under this scheme will be published on the Department’s website and should also be published on the local authority’s own website. Photographs of the project may also appear on the Longford County Council, Longford Library Services and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website and social media.